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The NBA season went the distance, as the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder played all seven games of the NBA Finals. But now it’s time for every team to focus on the offseason. This is a particularly important offseason for the Los Angeles Clippers, as they try to get over the proverbial hump after losing in the first round of the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.
The question is how the Clippers make that transition to being Western Conference favorites. Without a productive offseason, the odds will be against the Clippers being a serious contender during the 2025-26 campaign. With that in mind, here are the team’s top priorities this summer.
Figure Out the James Harden Situation
One way or another, the direction of the Clippers’ offseason will depend on what happens with Harden. He has a $36.3 million player option for next season, so he can stay in Los Angeles if he wants. Of course, if he exercises that option, he won’t be able to sign an extension. Harden could decline the option with the idea of signing a multi-year deal with the Clippers, which seems to be the team’s preference.
However, the Clippers will have to walk a fine line when giving Harden a long-term deal. He’ll be 36 by the start of next season and is coming off several playoff games in which his productivity was disappointing. That being said, Harden was still an all-star this past season, while also making the All-NBA Third Team. He’s still an asset who will be tough for the Clippers to replace in the short term. For fans who want help making NBA picks when next season rolls around, seeing Harden playing on the Clippers will certainly be a positive for the Clippers, so it’ll be tough to let him go if Harden decides to opt out of his contract.
Give Norman Powell an Extension
With just one season left on his contract, the Clippers need to give Powell an extension before he has a chance to hit free agency next summer. This offseason, he’s eligible for a four-year, $128.5 million deal, which sounds more than fair. Powell was the team’s second-leading scorer this past season with 21.8 points per game. That was just a shade more than Kawhi Leonard and just one point behind Harden. The Clippers will want to keep him happy with an extension and give their backcourt continuity, assuming Harden also returns.
To be fair, Powell is already 32 and hasn’t been the most durable player throughout his career. On the other hand, he was a borderline all-star in 2025 and appears to be coming into his own. It’s possible that his best years could still be ahead of him, and the Clippers won’t want to miss out on that by letting him walk next summer. Therefore, signing Powell to an extension should be a top priority this offseason.
Upgrade the Bench
When the trio of Harden, Powell, and Kawhi Leonard is healthy and playing together, the Clippers can go toe-to-toe with just about any team in the league. Big man Ivica Zubac is also a consistent performer who helps make the team’s starting lineup formidable. However, there’s no doubt that the Clippers fell short this season when it came to their bench. Whether it’s through trades or free agency, the Clippers need to change that.
Keep in mind that the team’s three best players are all over 30. To get through an 82-game season, Harden, Powell, and Leonard will need plenty of rest. Equally important, surviving one seven-game playoff series after another during the playoffs also requires a strong bench. The Clippers can’t even survive one seven-game playoff series, so it’s clear they need more reliable options on the bench. The good news is that the Clippers have the money and flexibility to improve their bench, with players like Tim Hardaway, Malcolm Brogdon, and Dennis Schroder all good candidates to target.
Stay Strong Defensively
When you look at defensive metrics for the 2024-25 season, the Clippers were among the best teams in the NBA. The Thunder were the top defensive team in the league, and they ended up winning the NBA title. In other words, the Clippers would be wise to stay focused on defense because that will best position them to win a championship.
Whatever moves the Clippers make and whatever players they add, defense needs to be given serious consideration. Adding a star player or a key bench piece won’t move the needle if it ends up hurting the Clippers on the defensive end. As long as the Clippers remain one of the NBA’s best defensive teams, they will have had a good offseason and will give themselves a chance to compete for a title next year.